Reps committee seeks permanent renewal of Tantita pipeline surveillance contract

The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has called for the immediate and long-term renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, describing the firm as critical to Nigeria’s oil infrastructure protection.

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The resolution formed part of the outcomes of the committee’s three-day retreat held in Owerri, Imo State, and chaired by Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat on Wednesday, the committee also recommended that Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited be designated a “Company of National Strategic Importance.”

The lawmakers commended the Joint Committee of the National Assembly for what they described as a principled and objective position on the surveillance contract, noting that the consensus between both chambers of the National Assembly reflected the importance of securing Nigeria’s oil assets.

The committee said pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and attacks on oil infrastructure remain major threats to Nigeria’s economy and energy security, stressing that sustained surveillance operations were necessary to protect national revenue.

Speaking during the retreat, the committee chairman, Ugochinyere, also praised billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Refinery, describing the refinery as “a national treasure built by Nigerian capital for the Nigerian people.”

However, the lawmakers expressed concern over what they termed the persistent failure to guarantee adequate crude oil supply to local refineries, especially indigenous operators.

According to the committee, the problem w as not market-driven but a “governance failure” that would require legislative intervention.

The committee also condemned the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update released on April 7, 2026, which reportedly suggested the reinstatement of petroleum import licences on the grounds that imported fuel was cheaper than products from the Dangote Refinery.

Rejecting the recommendation, the lawmakers described it as contrary to Nigeria’s economic interests and an interference in the country’s sovereign petroleum policies.

The committee subsequently gave the World Bank a 30-day ultimatum to issue a public retraction and written apology.

In addition, the lawmakers directed the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and National Intelligence Agency to investigate alleged foreign petroleum trading interests accused of undermining Nigeria’s domestic refining sector.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also advised to lodge a formal diplomatic protest over the matter.

The committee further disclosed that it had received what it described as credible intelligence indicating that some international oil companies and indigenous firms were allegedly purchasing crude oil below prevailing international market prices despite rising global prices.

According to the lawmakers, the practice may have caused major revenue losses to the federation.

To address the issue, the committee announced the establishment of a Sub-Committee on Crude Pricing and Revenue Integrity, mandated to submit its findings within 45 days.

“The nation is losing revenue. We will find it,” Mr Ugochinyere declared.

The retreat also reviewed ongoing efforts to amend the Petroleum Industry Act, with the committee disclosing that six legislative priorities were already at advanced drafting stages, including a proposed Crude Pricing Oversight and Revenue Protection Framework.

The lawmakers additionally resolved to formally summon the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over issues affecting the downstream petroleum sector.

In his closing remarks, Ugochinyere vowed that the committee would ensure implementation of the resolutions reached at the retreat.

“Owerri has spoken. We will follow up. We will hold accountable. We will not relent,” he said.